Take the Path to Independence, starting in Society Hill

This is the only walking tour through Society Hill, Philadelphia - America's largest concentration of Colonial-era homes. Join a local resident on this 90-minute walking tour that begins at Philadelphia’s oldest remaining tavern (still open!), winds through Colonial Philadelphia's most picturesque cobblestone streets in Society Hill, and concludes at Independence National Park in Old City. Learn how artisans, merchants, printers, clergy, and other locals shaped public opinion in the struggle between Patriots and Loyalists from 1754 to 1776. And, enjoy Colonial architectural notes from an Urban Planner. Owned, operated, and guided by a local.

1. 1

   Stop 1

   15 min

   We begin at Philadelphia’s oldest surviving tavern, a 1700s watering hole once a lively stop for sailors and dock workers from Dock Street. Arrive a little early to enjoy an ale and get into the colonial spirit before the tour sets off.

2. 2

   Headhouse/Shambles

   5 min

   Walk beneath the Shambles, the oldest open-air market structure still standing in Philadelphia.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   10 min

   Built between 1758–1761 in Society Hill, this elegant Georgian church was attended by early US leaders and stands almost unchanged since the 18th century.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   5 min

   Admire the stately Federal-style mansion once owned by wealthy merchant Henry Hill and later by Dr. Philip Physick, the “Father of American Surgery.” You’ll see one of Society Hill’s best-preserved 18th-century façades and its charming garden setting, a reminder of the neighborhood’s early elite.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   Pause outside the elegant Society Hill residence where James Madison lived while serving in the Continental Congress.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   Pass by

   See the grand Georgian mansion of Samuel Powel, Philadelphia’s last colonial mayor and a trusted host to Washington, Adams, and Franklin.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   5 min

   Stand before the refined Society Hill home once connected to Governor John Penn and statesman Benjamin Chew. Its dignified façade hints at the wealth, influence, and political tension that surrounded Philadelphia’s Loyalist leadership during the 1760s and 1770s.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   5 min

   Stand at the site of Philadelphia’s most influential colonial tavern, once a bustling hub for delegates of the First Continental Congress. Imagine the clatter of tankards, heated debates, and late-night strategy sessions that shaped the Revolution.

9. 9

   Benjamin Rush Garden

   10 min

   Stroll through this peaceful garden honoring Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration and a leading Patriot voice in Philadelphia. From here you can view the Bicentennial Bell, gifted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, a fitting reminder of how far the city had come since the Revolution Rush helped inspire.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    5 min

    See the historic hall where the First Continental Congress met and the colonies first coordinated their response to British rule.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    Pass by

    Admire the monumental Greek Revival building that once housed the nation’s central bank.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    10 min

    Stand in the landscaped square where Philadelphians gathered to hear the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence.

13. 13

    Independence Mall

    15 min

    Tour ends right outside of Liberty Beer Garden on the Independence Mall.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.